This paper may be considered as a practical reference for those who wish to add (now sufficiently matured) Agent Based modeling to their analysis toolkit and may or may not have some System Dynamics or Discrete Event modeling background. We focus on systems that contain large numbers of active objects (people, business units, animals, vehicles, or even things like projects, stocks, products, etc. that have timing, event ordering or other kind of individual behavior associated with them). We compare the three major paradigms in simulation modeling: System Dynamics, Discrete Event and Agent Based Modeling with respect to how they approach such systems. We show in detail how an Agent Based model can be built from an existing System Dynamics or a Discrete Event model and then show how easily it can be further enhanced to capture much more complicated behavior, dependencies and interactions thus providing for deeper insight in the system being modeled.

The creation of IT simulation models for uses such as capacity planning and optimization is becoming more and more widespread. Traditionally, the creation of such models required deep modeling and/or programming expertise, thus severely limiting their extensive use. Moreover, many modern intelligent tools now require simulation models in order to carry out their function. For these tools to be widely deployable, the derivation of simulation models must be made possible without requiring excessive technical knowledge.

This paper explores the problem of fragmenting social networks enabled by spatial distancing between distinct socioeconomic classes. Such fragmentation is evidenced by the experience of urban sprawl without population growth. We develop a prototype model to examine the spatial dynamics of social network evolution in the face of neighborhood migration. This model draws upon the small world analogy by using an initial template of connections that are “rewired” over time. Spatially, connections are established for neighborhood proximity. Socially, connections are added based upon similarity of economic class.

Regional freight transportation policy planning is a difficult task, as few policy-planners have adequate tools to aid their understanding of how various policy formulations affect this complex, socio-technical system. In this paper, we develop a proof-of-concept model to simulate the impacts of public policies on freight transportation in a simulated region. We use the techniques of multi-disciplinary system design and optimization to analyze the formulation of regional freight transportation policies and examine the relative effects of policies and exogenous forces on the region in order to provide insight into the policy-planning process. Both single objective and multi-objective analysis is performed to provide policy-planners with a clear understanding of the trade-offs made in policy formulation.

System Dynamics, has been useful for a variety of disciplines; however, it has limitations in showing a geographical representation of the models under study. This paper proposes a methodology based on layered vectors which allows the use a city’s census information to feed a Geographic Information System (GIS). The GIS objects implemented into System Dynamics and located at coordinates X.Y.Z become the entry parameters for the simulation.

Nano-sized wireless ad-hoc networks are expected to play a critical role in future medical, industrial quality control, environmental monitoring and military applications. The networking of nano-nodes will require an even more simple protocol stack, at least until manufacturing capabilities in nano-scales experience a major breakthrough. To this end, the present work introduces a simple physical layer which combines MAC, routing, beam forming and source location discovery capabilities.

The objective of this paper was to determine the effects of adding a healthcare provider in triage on average length of stay (LOS) and proportion of patients with >6 h LOS. The other goal was to assess the accuracy of computer simulation in predicting the magnitude of such effects on these metrics.

This paper presents a hybrid simulation model for the management of an eye condition called age-related macular degeneration, which particularly affects the elderly. The model represents not only the detailed clinical progression of disease in an individual, but also the organization of the hospital clinic in which patients with this condition are treated and the wider environment in which these patients live (and their social care needs, if any, are met). The model permits a ‘whole system’ societal view which captures the interactions between the health and social care systems

In mechanized tunneling a significant loss of performance resulting from weak spots in the supply chain or unforeseen geological conditions is a frequent and costly problem. Furthermore, disturbances of critical machine components can have such impact on the production that unforeseen modifications become necessary. Due to the sequential character the malfunction of one element might evoke cascading-effects which may result in a complete standstill of the tunneling progress. Transparent evaluation of applicable tunnel boring machine designs is essential in order to improve the productivity, avoid unplanned interruptions and to estimate the project duration in general. In order to meet these defiances, this paper presents a multimethod simulation model to investigate the advancement rate of tunnel boring machines. Processrelated disturbances can be considered easily within the presented simulation model. Simulation experiments demonstrate the purposive functionality of the model and visualize the significant influence of technical failure on the overall project performance